Jim Broadhurst Receives Foodservice Industry’s Top Honor

PRESSRELEASE: CHICAGO, May 20,
2014/PRNewswire/-- Jim Broadhurst, Chairman, Eat'n Park
Hospitality Group, was named the Gold Plate Award winner by
the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association
(IFMA) on May 19 at Chicago's historic Great Hall at Union Station.
Broadhurst, nominated by Bigelow Tea, was one of eight outstanding operator executives who were
eligible for the award after receiving the IFMA Silver Plate award
in March. He represents the Chain Full Service/Multi-Concept
segment.

Broadhurst says, "The real thank you goes to our almost 10,000
employees, colleagues and team members of Eat'n Park Hospitality
Group. Their very special effort, the care they give to what they
do, the dedication and commitment they make day in and day out to
make sure our guests, clients and customers get absolutely the best
treatment and experience possible."

It was a special night for the Broadhurst family. Broadhurst was
accompanied by his wife of 48 years, Suzy and their three sons
[Jeff, Brooks and Mark], who are all actively involved in the Eat'n
Park Hospitality Group. "They certainly will carry on the tradition
of a culture that has been important to the organization since it
started in 1949," said Broadhurst.

Celebrating its 60th year, IFMA's Gold & Silver Plate Awards
are considered the most coveted operator awards in the foodservice
industry. The awards pay tribute to leading foodservice operators
who have contributed to the advancement of their individual
segments and teh foodservice industry as a whole.

The Gold Plate award recipient was determined through secret
ballot by a jury of past Silver Plate winners, national trade press
ediotrs and foodservice experts. Overseeing the selection process
was the chairperson of the International Gold & Silver Plate
Society, Mary Angela Miller. The Selection Jury was chaired by
Nancy Kruse, President of The Kruse Company. The ballot was tallied
by the BDO USA, LLP and kept confiential until the annoucement at
the Gold & Silver Plate Celebration on May 19.

James Collins ('77), Richard Melman ('89), Ralph Brennan ('97)
and J.W. Marriott Jr. ('93) are among the renowned operators who
have received IFMA Gold and Silver Plates over the years. The May
19 Celebration, which drew a stellar crowd of over 600 industry
leaders and legends, was hosted by the 2007 Gold Plate recipient
Jon Luther, former Chairman of the Board, Dunkin Brands and current
Chairman of the Board, Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.

For more information on the Gold & Silver Plate Awards or
photos from the Celebration, visit ifmaworld.com or contact John Lehmann at (312)
253-4683.

--

About International Foodservice Manufacturers Association
(IFMA)

IFMA is a leading trade association comprised of the world's
most prestigious food, equipment and supply manufacturers in the
$600 billion foodservice industry, as well as related marketing
service organizations, trade publications, distributors and
brokers. IFMA's mission is to serve as a business partner to its
members by bringing them relevant, actionable services that are
fundamental to their business assessment, planning and execution.
For more information, visit ifmaworld.com. Follow IFMA on Twitter:
@IFMAWORLD or join our group on
LinkedIn.

The IFMA Chain Operators EXchange (COEX) enables chain operators to take advantage of business building insights and create personal connections with leading manufacturers. With dozens of high-profile operators on the planning committee, the program truly is created "by operators, for operators."

We asked the Silver Plate Class of 2016 a few questions to get an inside look at what makes them the operator all-stars they are today. Find out what they had to say about passion for foodservice, career accomplishments and what it means to be part of a legendary group of operators. Wolfgang Lindlbauer, Chief Discipline Leader, Global Operations, Marriott International, received the 2016 Silver Plate Award in the Hotels & Lodging category. He was nominated by Ecolab.

We asked the Silver Plate Class of 2016 a few questions to get an inside look at what makes them the operator all-stars they are today. Find out what they had to say about passion for foodservice, career accomplishments and what it means to be part of a legendary group of operators. Thom Sehnert, Founder/Owner & President, Annie Gunn’s and The Smokehouse Market, received the 2016 Silver Plate Award in the Independent Restaurant/Multi-Concept category. He was nominated by Anheuser-Busch.

We asked the Silver Plate Class of 2016 a few questions to get an inside look at what makes them the operator all-stars they are today. Find out what they had to say about passion for foodservice, career accomplishments and what it means to be part of a legendary group of operators. Rick Abramson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Delaware North Companies, received the 2016 Silver Plate Award in the Specialty Foodservice category. He was nominated by Anheuser-Busch, Ecolab and PepsiCo.

We asked the Silver Plate Class of 2016 a few questions to get an inside look at what makes them the operator all-stars they are today. Find out what they had to say about passion for foodservice, career accomplishments and what it means to be part of a legendary group of operators. Jeff Denton, Director of Child Nutrition Programs, Ponca City Public Schools., received the 2016 Silver Plate Award in the Elementary & Secondary Schools category. He was nominated by Basic American Foods.

We asked the Silver Plate Class of 2016 a few questions to get an inside look at what makes them the operator all-stars they are today. Find out what they had to say about passion for foodservice, career accomplishments and what it means to be part of a legendary group of operators. Charlie Morrison, president and CEO, Wingstop, Inc., received the Silver Plate Award in the Chain Limited Services Category. He was nominated by Basic American Foods.

We asked the Silver Plate Class of 2016 a few questions to get an inside look at what makes them the operator all-stars they are today. Rafi Taherian, associate vice president, Yale Hospitality, Yale University, received the Silver Plate Award in the Colleges & Universities Category. He was nominated by Basic American Foods, JL&A Communications and Sysco. Find out what Rafi had to say about passion for foodservice, career accomplishments and what it means to be part of a legendary group of operators.

We asked the Silver Plate Class of 2016 a few questions to get an inside look at what makes them the operator all-stars they are today. Mike Barclay, President, Southern Foodservice Management, Inc., received the 2016 Silver Plate Award in the Business & Industry/Foodservice Management Category. He was nominated by Basic American Foods. Find out what Mike had to say about passion for foodservice, career accomplishments and what it means to be part of a legendary group of operators.

We asked the Silver Plate Class of 2016 a few questions to get an inside look at what makes them the operator all-stars they are today. Find out what they had to say about passion for foodservice, career accomplishments and what it means to be part of a legendary group of operators. Steve Carley, CEO, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, received the 2016 Silver Plate Award in the Chain Full Service/Multi-Concept category. He was nominated by Dawn Food Products.

Participating in an IFMA Awards program is one of the best ways for members to maximize participation in many of IFMA’s largest events. Specifically, nominating an operator or distributor for an IFMA Awardbrings significant opportunities to build customer relations, gain national exposure and serve as an important advocate for the foodservice industry.

On May 18th, 2015, during the week of the NRA Show, the Great Hall at Union Station in Chicago - with large pillars, a grand staircase, historic architecture, and high, detailed ceilings - was transformed into pure elegance. Guests, donned in black-tie attire, enjoyed a cocktail reception and step-and-repeat before dinner, when the awards ceremony kicked off.